Lexical Summary dekatoó: To tithe, to give a tenth Original Word: δεκατόω Strong's Exhaustive Concordance pay or receive tithes. From dekate; to tithe, i.e. To give or take a tenth -- pay (receive) tithes. see GREEK dekate HELPS Word-studies Cognate: 1183 dekatóō– to tithe. See 1181 (dekátē). NAS Exhaustive Concordance Word Originfrom dekaté Definition to collect tithes NASB Translation collected a tenth (1), paid tithes (1). Thayer's Greek Lexicon STRONGS NT 1183: δεκατόωδεκατόω, δεκάτῳ: perfect δεδεκάτωκα; perfect passive δεδεκατωμαι; (δέκατος); to exact or receive the tenth part (for which Greek writers use δεκατεύω (Winer's Grammar, 24)): with the accusative of person from whom, Hebrews 7:6 (on the perfect cf. Winers Grammar, § 40, 4 a.; Lightfoot St. Clement, Appendix, p. 414); passive to pay tithes (Vulg.decimor): Hebrews 7:9. (Nehemiah 10:37.) (Compare: ἀποδεκατόω.) Topical Lexicon Overview The verb underlying Strong’s 1183 denotes the setting apart of a tenth for God. It frames tithing not as a mere financial duty but as an acknowledgment that all belongs to the Lord and that priestly ministry deserves tangible honor. Occurrences in the New Testament Hebrews 7:6 speaks of Melchizedek who “collected a tenth from Abraham,” while Hebrews 7:9 observes that Levi, “who receives the tenth, has himself paid the tithe through Abraham.” Both perfect-tense forms point to completed acts whose significance continues, undergirding the epistle’s case for the supremacy of Christ’s priesthood. Old Testament Foundations of Tithing • Patriarchal precedent: “And Abram gave him a tenth of everything” (Genesis 14:20). Role in Hebrews 7 1. Superiority of Melchizedek: Abraham’s tithe shows that the patriarch honors one greater than himself (Hebrews 7:4-7). Typological Significance • Recognition of supremacy: The tithe is an act of homage; Christ receives our worship and gifts. Historical Practice in Israel and Second Temple Judaism Jewish tradition distinguished multiple tithes—Levitical, Festival, and Poor Tithes—demonstrating both rigor and charity. Such seriousness heightens the force of Abraham’s voluntary tithe, leveraged by Hebrews to prove Melchizedek’s precedence. Implications for Christian Stewardship • Firstfruits principle: Giving off the top proclaims God’s ownership (Proverbs 3:9). Early Church Witness The Didache urges believers to share firstfruits with those who teach. Church Fathers such as Irenaeus and Tertullian view tithing as a continuing moral duty, heightened by Christ’s call to sacrificial love. Conclusion Though appearing only twice, Strong’s 1183 anchors a sweeping biblical narrative: God’s people honor Him—and affirm Christ’s superior priesthood—by gladly dedicating the first and best of their increase. Forms and Transliterations δεδεκάτωκε δεδεκατωκεν δεδεκάτωκεν δεδεκατωται δεδεκάτωται δεκατούντες δεκατρείς δεκατριών δεκαχόρδω dedekatoken dedekatōken dedekátoken dedekátōken dedekatotai dedekatōtai dedekátotai dedekátōtaiLinks Interlinear Greek • Interlinear Hebrew • Strong's Numbers • Englishman's Greek Concordance • Englishman's Hebrew Concordance • Parallel TextsEnglishman's Concordance Hebrews 7:6 V-RIA-3SGRK: ἐξ αὐτῶν δεδεκάτωκεν Ἀβραάμ καὶ NAS: But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham KJV: them received tithes of Abraham, INT: from them has tithed Abraham and Hebrews 7:9 V-RIM/P-3S Strong's Greek 1183 |